Quick Hits: De La Rosa, Plouffe, Wacha, Cards CF, Rothschild

All indications are that Jorge De La Rosa’s nine-year run with the Rockies is at an end. The southpaw, who largely thrived at Coors Field, spoke with MLB.com’s Thomas Harding about the possibility that he’ll be looking for a new organization this winter. De La Rosa, 35, ended the year with a 5.51 ERA and 7.3 K/9 against 4.2 BB/9. He also allowed 10.5 basehits per nine in what was his worst season in Colorado (excepting a truncated 2012). De La Rosa spoke well of his time with the Rockies and did not rule out a return, while noting that he battled through health and mechanical issues this year. He added that he “liked” pitching out of the bullpen, though he added that he still believes he can succeed as a starter. It remains to be seen how the market will view the southpaw, and whether he’ll be pursued in some capacity by his long-time organization, but there figures to be a fair bit of interest in a pitcher who has proven able to supply solid innings in a tough pitching environment.

There are also questions moving forward for Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe, though he remains under Minnesota’s control for one more year. As Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports, the 30-year-old acknowledged that his future with the organization is uncertain. Plouffe dealt with injuries for much of the year, which he says was especially problematic because he tried to rush a return. With a $7.25MM base salary heading into a final run at arbitration, where he’ll tote a .260/.303/.420 batting line and a dozen homers over 344 plate appearances, Plouffe could be non-tendered or perhaps tendered and traded by a Twins team that suffered through an abysmal 2016 campaign.

The Cardinals still view Michael Wacha as a starter, as MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch reports, though that’s in greater question than ever after an injury-riddled 2016 season that was easily his worst as a big leaguer. Skipper Mike Matheny suggests that Wacha’s shoulder health could be improved by building up his upper-body strength. “As you start to look for some compensation and where there might be weaknesses, how can he build up some parts of his body muscularly that will help support maybe the arm and the demand that comes with being a starting pitcher?” asked Matheny. “When his health is right, you’re seeing the right arm action. The next step is going to be the one that’s missing right now. That’s consistency in the strike zone. He’s a rare talent that we need to figure out how to get into a consistent spot.”

Sticking with the Cardinals, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at some options for the team in center field — which increasingly seems to be a target area this winter. He runs through a variety of trade and free agent targets, some of whom seem more achievable than others. At this stage, it’s tough to handicap from the outside, though GM John Mozeliak has certainly hinted that defense will be a priority in the search.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild will be back with the Yankees for his seventh year with the organization, per a club announcement. He had been the only member of the coaching staff who had yet to agree to terms with the team to return. With his re-signing, Joe Girardi and the rest of the uniformed staff are all set to repeat in 2017.

Comments

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Cardinals need to go after Cespedes then Desmond then Folwer! The rest on that list Cardinals shouldn’t go after due to every team is going to want Reyes or Martinez! Cardinals need to try to sign first then trade but the trades are not going to happen for the ones on this this!

Your correct Roadrunner. After looking at trade chips for the Cardinals, you see a bunch of injury prone veterans and others that couldn’t start on some other teams. The Cardinals should declare Martinez and Reyes untouchable. Molina, Carpenter, Diaz, Piscoty and Grichuk seem to be who they are building around, so they’re untouchable. Wainwright is declining, Leake has a big contract and didn’t live up to it (though defense let him down on many occasions). They don’t want to trader Bader. So who would make good trade chips for an impact player. The Cardinal fans have seen Moz’s trading ability and Free Agent negotiations over the past years when it needed to count. It hasn’t built up the Cards in anyway. He talks encouraging about additions. Bu” his” high end additions are the players that leading contending teams pass by to get the top players. So what is the answer and what should the Cardinal fans expect after the playoffs?????

Fowler, Desmond, and Cespedes are the names us Cardinal fans need to eliminate off our menu of offseason desires. We all know that the Cardinals are capable of signing any one of them but when it comes down to it, they won’t. These guys are the cream of the off season crop that we get disappointed when the price to pay for this kind of talent goes skyrocket and the Cardinals back down. Since the Holiday signing we haven’t had one like it since?

Cardinal fans should expect the minor tweaks the organization does every year that gets us barely satisfied in the offseason but enough to make us hungry for the season to start? We should trust the organization that puts us in the playoffs almost every year even if they don’t move like we would? I would love a high profile name to join the birds but, unless we trade one or more of those untouchables mentioned, it’s probably not going to happen?

Cardinals don’t have that Paid super star since Holliday is gone! Cardinals have had a star like that since McGwire then Pujols, Edmonds, Rollen then Holliday now they will go out and spend money but us Cardinals fans are demanding a star its needed! Cespedes Fowler or Desmond has to be a Cardinal next year! Hopefully Cespedes then Desmond then Fowler! They could sign 2 the team has the money! Huge new tv deal as well!

I agree with the Cardinals no 10 year contracts but those player im talking about wont want 10 year deals but maybe Cespedes & Cardinals are going to have to suck it up and if a draft pick is lost on 1 or 2 signings its the price to pay to win. Fans deserve more from the ownership at this point, lives off the prospects and now its time to spend money

We need a star player in STL. We can’t improve the defense much considering Diaz is the biggest problem not CF. Desmond, Cepedes, Fowler are all not good enough to pay what they want. Think Blue Jays free agents and have more imagination. They have the money.

Lol you obviously dont watch the Cardinals saying Diaz is the problem wow, yeah he had problems early but second half was good & for you to say Cespedes if it wasnt for him Mets wouldn’t of made the playoffs the last 2 years, Cubs with out Fowler are a 500 team look it up and Desmond is a good bat maybe not CF but still can hit.

Star can come with big signing Trout Arenado or goldy in 19 or 20. Save money for them or another good SP after next year where the FA crop is very good. Also Otani should be a blank check option when he comes over as he’s the best baseball player on the planet.

Trade for Blackmon and Adames to fill CF and backup SS which is all the Cardinals really need

Blackmon pushes Carp to 3 and makes the middle much more punchier.

Center it around Weaver Flaherty and Jaime with cardinals eating at least half the contract. Others could be added too. Like Sierra or Bader or several other solid prospects. Maybe Adams has value though it would be selling low. Marco is sell low but Marcos dad is in Rox organization and he’s from the area. I even think Lyons would have good value for the Rockies. Jaimes groundball rate plays too.

If Cardinals are smart they could upgrade with this trade and not make too many waves. Their strength of consistent solid pitching prospects is not to be overlooked as a very strong commodity.

Blackmon has a lot of value and if they swig and moss on that they still could go after a CF FA. Then find a backup SS.

Their rotation will be upgraded just with Lynn and Reyes.
Blackmon at 1 and Carp moving back should help the lineup.
Bullpen is stronger with full year of Oh as closer and duke all year. Wacha could still be converted to be a force and Lyons helps too not to mention potential Maness being healthy.
Bench should be fine too

I don’t see Rockies taking that offer they will want Reyes or Martinez or both lol. woukd like to see Otani over here but not sure he would be used in MLB right maybe AL team. Carpenter batting 3rd for some reason he can’t hit there, it looks like he changes his swing to hit more power which he needs to stop trying to do since he struggles when he does that. Cardinals do need another starting out fielder for sure, bench as of now is good, bullpen is good and health will be key & do not sign Moss.